Ways To Be Wicked (1985) – Lone Justice

There is passion aplenty and it is all pretty carnal in Ways to Be Wicked. It’s smokin’! Tzzz. Sometimes it is better not to mince words and just come right out and say it. There is so much energy and authenticity here. The song is driven by innate, natural instincts and urges, and it is not short on sexual innuendo.

Lead singer Maria McKee has fallen for the bad boy, and he is “walking her through hell”. She has been treated “wicked”, but such is the allure of his cobra eyes that she keeps coming back to be his fool. The rational conscience within her barely seems to stir. The closest it comes is in the chorus line:

Ooh, but you don’t know one little thing about love

The song has this enticing, jumpy, upbeat country sound, and there is that snarl in Maria McKee’s voice. I love the way she draws out the words “about love” in the above chorus. Another part that sounds so cool is when she sings, “Yeah, and I probably will again.” The song is full of these sweet moments and it is never dull.

It has everything you want in a country-rock song: a highly strung female singer with something to say, and a band that knows its chops, backing her with great licks and changes in tempo.

Considering how brash and driven Maria McKee is in telling this story, it may come as a surprise to learn that the song was not written by a woman. Drumroll: it was written by none other than Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. The song reached No. 29 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 77 in the UK.

It is a bit of a mystery to me why it did not peak higher. Moreover, the band never really took off commercially, despite opening for U2 after recording their debut album. Critics loved Lone Justice, but the record-buying public not so much, and the albums sold poorly.

Lone Justice began as part of the Los Angeles cowpunk scene of the 1980s. Cowpunk was a rough-edged blend of country music and punk rock that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in Southern California. The band released two albums, Lone Justice in 1985 and Shelter the following year, before disbanding in 1987.

But Maria McKee did eventually have a No. 1 hit in the UK with Show Me Heaven in 1990.

[Verse 1]
Honey, why you always smile
When you see me hurt so bad?
Tell me what I did to you, babe
That could make you act like that

[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I’ve been your fool before, honey
Yeah, and I probably will again
‘Cause you ain’t afraid to let me have it
No, you ain’t afraid to stick it in

[Chorus]
Well, you know so many ways to be wicked
Ooh, but you don’t know one little thing about love

[Verse 2]
Well, I can take a little pain
Yeah, I can hold it pretty well
I can watch your little eyes light up
While you’re walking me through hell

[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I’ve been your fool before, honey
Yeah, I probably will again
‘Cause you ain’t afraid to let me have it
No, you ain’t afraid to stick it in

[Chorus]
Well, you know so many ways to be wicked
But you don’t know one little thing about love

[Bridge]
Those cobra eyes light with a smile
Baby, you take pride in the devil down inside

[Verse 3]
Well, I can take a little pain
Yeah, I can hold it pretty well
I can watch your little eyes light up
While you’re walking me through hell

[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I’ve been your fool before, honey
Yeah, and I probably will again
‘Cause you ain’t afraid to let me have it
No, you ain’t afraid to stick it in

[Chorus]
Well, you know so many ways to be wicked
Ooh, but you don’t know one little thing about love
Well, you know so many ways to be wicked
Yeah, but you don’t know one little, one little thing about love
Yeah, you know so many ways to be wicked
But you don’t know one little thing about love

References:
1. Lone Justice – Wikipedia